Machine learning identifies risk factors associated with long-term opioid use in fibromyalgia patients newly initiated on an opioid.

OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia is frequently treated with opioids due to limited therapeutic options. Long-term opioid use is associated with several adverse outcomes. Identifying factors associated with long-term opioid use is the first step in developing targeted interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors in fibromyalgia patients newly initiated on opioids using machine learning. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a nationally representative primary care dataset from the UK, from the Clinical Research Practice Datalink. Fibromyalgia patients without prior cancer who were new opioid users were included. Logistic regression, a random forest model and Boruta feature selection were used to identify risk factors related to long-term opioid use. Adjusted ORs (aORs) and feature importance scores were calculated to gauge the strength of these associations. RESULTS: In this study, 28 552 fibromyalgia patients initiating opioids were identified of which 7369 patients (26%) had long-term opioid use. High initial opioid dose (aOR: 31.96, mean decrease accuracy (MDA) 135), history of self-harm (aOR: 2.01, MDA 44), obesity (aOR: 2.43, MDA 36), high deprivation (aOR: 2.00, MDA 31) and substance use disorder (aOR: 2.08, MDA 25) were the factors most strongly associated with long-term use. CONCLUSIONS: High dose of initial opioid prescription, a history of self-harm, obesity, high deprivation, substance use disorder and age were associated with long-term opioid use. This study underscores the importance of recognising these individual risk factors in fibromyalgia patients to better navigate the complexities of opioid use and facilitate patient-centred care.

Development of Opioid Use Disorder After Breast Reconstruction: Effects of Nicotine Exposure.

INTRODUCTION: After undergoing breast reconstructive surgery, patients are typically prescribed opioids. Smoking tobacco increases rate of opioid metabolism and is associated with development of opioid use disorder (OUD). The aim of this study was to determine whether patients who smoke have an increased risk of OUD after breast reconstructive surgery. Given that OUD is a known risk factor for injection drug use and intravenous drug use increases risk of acquiring blood-borne diseases including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis, the secondary aim was to determine if these patients are also at increased risk of acquiring these communicable diseases associated with OUD. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using TriNetX, a multi-institutional deidentified database. Individuals included underwent a breast reconstructive surgery and received postoperative opioid treatment. The exposed group included patients who smoke. The control group did not smoke. Risk of developing OUD, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV from 12 to 36 months after surgery was compared between groups. Patients with preexisting OUD or associated diseases were excluded. Cohorts were matched to control for confounding factors including age, sex, race, mental health history, and concomitant substance use. RESULTS: There were 8648 patients included in the analysis. After matching, 4324 patients comprised the exposure group, and 4324 patients remained in the control group. Preoperative smoking was significantly associated with increased risk of OUD at 12, 24, and 36 months after breast reconstruction (36 months: odds ratio [OR], 2.722; confidence interval [CI], 2.268-6.375). Smoking was also associated with increased risk of HIV and HCV at all time points after surgery (36 months HIV: OR, 2.614; CI, 1.977-3.458; 36 months HCV: OR, 3.718; CI, 2.268-6.375) and increased risk of HBV beginning at 24 months after surgery (36 months HBV: OR, 2.722; CI, 1.502-4.935). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who smoke have an increased risk of developing OUD, HIV, HCV, and HBV after breast reconstructive surgery. This risk persists for at least 3 years after surgery. Additional research and clinical interventions focusing on early identification of OUD, prevention efforts, and harm reduction strategies for patients who smoke or have nicotine dependence undergoing breast reconstruction are warranted.

Perioperative pain optimization in the age of the opioid epidemic.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The opioid epidemic remains a constant and increasing threat to our society with overdoses and overdose deaths rising significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Growing evidence suggests a link between perioperative opioid use, postoperative opioid prescribing, and the development of opioid use disorder (OUD). As a result, strategies to better optimize pain management during the perioperative period are urgently needed. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent multimodal analgesia (MMA) recommendations, summarize evidence for efficacy surrounding the increased utilization of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, and discuss the implications for rising use of buprenorphine for OUD patients who present for surgery. In addition, this review will explore opportunities to expand our treatment of complex patients via transitional pain services. RECENT FINDINGS: There is ample evidence to support the benefits of MMA. However, optimal drug combinations remain understudied, presenting a target area for future research. ERAS protocols provide a more systematic and targeted approach for implementing MMA. ERAS protocols also allow for a more comprehensive approach to perioperative pain management by necessitating the involvement of surgical specialists. Increasingly, OUD patients taking buprenorphine are presenting for surgery. Recent guidance from a multisociety OUD working group recommends that buprenorphine not be routinely discontinued or tapered perioperatively. Lastly, there is emerging evidence to justify the use of transitional pain services for more comprehensive treatment of complex patients, like those with chronic pain, preoperative opioid tolerance, or substance use disorder. SUMMARY: Perioperative physicians must be aware of the impact of the opioid epidemic and explore methods like MMA techniques, ERAS protocols, and transitional pain services to improve the perioperative pain experience and decrease the risks of opioid-related harm.

The Role of Liposomal Bupivacaine in Multimodal Pain Management Following Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Faster and Farther With Less Opioids.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective controlled cohort. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine (LB) infiltration on postsurgical pain management in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients by analyzing postoperative opioid consumption, ambulation, and length of stay (LOS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Optimal postoperative pain control for AIS patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) is challenging. Multimodal pain management protocols provide adequate analgesia while decreasing opioid consumption. LB was recently approved for pediatric patients; however, use in AIS patients is understudied. METHODS: 119 consecutive patients with AIS who underwent PSF were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients who received LB as erector spinae block in addition to the standard postoperative pain management protocol (Group A), and patients who received only the standard postoperative pain protocol (Group B). Oral morphine equivalents, intravenous opioid and valium consumption, pain scores (VAS), nausea/vomiting, ambulation distance and LOS were assessed. RESULTS: Group A experienced significantly lower total opioid consumption compared to Group B (44.5 mg vs. 70.2 mg). Morphine use was lower in Group A on postoperative day (POD) 0, and oxycodone use was lower in Group A on PODs 1 and 2. There was a higher proportion of patients who used only oral opioids in Group A (81% vs. 41%). Of patients requiring any intravenous opioids, 79% did not receive LB. A significantly higher proportion of LB patients were discharged on POD 2 (55% vs. 27%); therefore, LOS was shorter for Group A. Group A ambulated further postoperatively. There were no differences in pain scores, valium requirements or nausea/vomiting. CONCLUSIONS: LB was associated with decreased total opioid use, shorter LOS, and improved ambulation in AIS patients undergoing PSF. Including LB in multimodal pain management protocols proved effective in reducing opioid use while increasing mobilization in the immediate postoperative period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Outcomes of enhanced recovery protocols and tranexamic acid on double-incision versus periareolar gender-affirming mastectomy: A retrospective study of postoperative outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The effects of enhanced recovery protocols and use of tranexamic acid (TXA) to reduce postoperative complications after periareolar and double-incision (DIM) gender-affirming mastectomies have not been previously described. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of our ERP including use of liposomal bupivacaine [Exparel] in these cases, assess the efficacy of TXA in reducing postoperative complications, and compare need for revisionary surgery between periareolar and DI mastectomy techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review from November 2017 to June 2022 was performed. Data were collected on patient demographics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes including complications and revisions. Morphine milligram equivalent was used to assess opioid use after surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 260 patients were included: 240 (92.3%) patients in the DI and 20 (7.7%) patients in the periareolar group. Thirty-five (7.3%) breasts in the DIM group and five (12.5%) breasts in the periareolar cohort developed complications (p = 0.220). Significantly more breasts in the periareolar cohort developed hematomas (12.5% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.011). Sixteen (3.3%) breasts in the DIM group developed seromas. Significantly more breasts in the periareolar group required revisionary surgery (15.0% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.025). Patients who received intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine [Exparel] had fewer opioids intraoperatively (p = 0.019) and at discharge (p < 0.001). Use of TXA did not affect rates of complications including hematoma or seroma. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, complication rates for periareolar and DIM are similar. However, the periareolar technique results in a significantly higher rate of hematomas and revisionary surgery. Use of intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine [Exparel] resulted in significantly lower opioid use. Lastly, use of topical TXA did not lower the risk of postoperative hematoma or seroma.

Grit and postoperative opioid use after total joint arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Perioperative multimodal protocols following total joint replacements have significantly decreased the amount of perioperative and postoperative opioids. Further identification of those requiring more or less opioids through individualisation, may further aid in reducing the amount prescribed. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate whether a patient's grit, the measurable psychological strength of character to persevere during hardship, measured by postoperative opioid consumption. METHODS: Consecutive patients who had undergone either primary or revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) from February 2019 to August 2020 at our institution logged their opioid use for the first 2 weeks postoperatively, detailing the type, dosage, and number of narcotics they consumed. Those who completed their logs and a grit questionnaire had their average morphine equivalent dose (MED) and grit score calculated. Analysis was then performed to evaluate if any association existed between these 2 variables. RESULTS: There was no correlation between grit score and postoperative opioid consumption in the first 2 weeks following discharge after total joint arthroplasty. A total of 144 patients were eligible to participate and a total of 86 patients met inclusion criteria, 48 patients in the TKA group and 38 in the THA group. Of all patients, 63% were male. The average MED was 95.5 for THAs and 192 for TKAs. The average grit score was 4.23 for THAs and 4.19 for TKAs. CONCLUSIONS: There is not an apparent association between grit score and postoperative opioid consumption in the first 2 weeks after total joint arthroplasty. General psychological resiliency may not be an important predictor of postoperative opioid use with modern postoperative protocols.

Opioid Utilization After Scoliosis Surgery is Greater in Marfan Syndrome Than Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective matched case cohort. OBJECTIVE: Compare postoperative opioid utilization and prescribing behaviors between patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) after posterior spinal fusion (PSF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Opioids are an essential component of pain management after PSF. However, due to the potential for opioid use disorder and dependence, current analgesic strategies aim to minimize their use, especially in younger patients. Limited information exists on opioid utilization after PSF for syndromic scoliosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty adolescents undergoing PSF with MFS were matched with patients with AIS (ratio, 1:2) by age, sex, degree of spinal deformity, and the number of vertebral levels fused. Inpatient and outpatient pharmaceutical data were reviewed for the quantity and duration of opioid and adjunct medications. Prescriptions were converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) using CDC's standard conversion factor. RESULTS: Compared with patients with AIS, patients with MFS had significantly greater total inpatient MME use (4.9 vs . 2.1 mg/kg, P ≤ 0.001) and longer duration of intravenous patient-controlled anesthesia (3.4 vs . 2.5 d, P = 0.001). Within the first 2 postop days, MFS patients had more patient-controlled anesthesia boluses (91 vs . 52 boluses, P = 0.01) despite similar pain scores and greater use of adjunct medications. After accounting for prior opioid use, MFS was the only significant predictor of requesting an opioid prescription after discharge (odds ratio: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.1-14.9, P = 0.03). Patients with MFS were also more likely to be discharged with a more potent prescription (1.0 vs . 0.72 MME per day/kg, P ≤ 0.001) and to receive a longer-duration prescription (13 vs . 8 d, P = 0.005) with a greater MME/kg (11.6 vs . 5.6 mg/kg, P ≤ 0.001) as outpatients. CONCLUSION: Despite a similar intervention, patients with MFS and AIS seem to differ in their postoperative opioid usage after PSF, presenting an opportunity for further research to assist clinicians in better anticipating the analgesic needs of individual patients, particularly in light of the ongoing opioid epidemic.

Correlation of Patient-Reported Preoperative Narcotic Use and Postoperative Requirements in Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Preoperative narcotic use is associated with diminished outcomes and increased complications in patients undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The goal of this study was to compare self-reported and state database identified preoperative narcotic use and correlate it with perioperative narcotic requirements in patients undergoing primary arthroplasty. A total of 788 patients undergoing unilateral TJA from a single institution were examined using self-reported preoperative narcotic use questionnaires and were verified using the Massachusetts Prescriber Awareness Tool (MassPAT). Demographic data, perioperative morphine milligram equivalents, and postdischarge refills were recorded and analyzed. Of the total population, 16.4% of patients undergoing TJA had verified MassPAT narcotics prescriptions preoperatively. Of these patients, 55% accurately reported use to their surgeon. Patients with verified MassPAT narcotic prescriptions required more morphine milligram equivalents than patients without MassPAT prescriptions, regardless of their preoperative self-report at all time points in the study. Patients who accurately reported use required more narcotics than those who did not. Patients with MassPAT prescriptions required more postdischarge refills than patients without MassPAT prescriptions. These data suggest that state-run narcotics databases may be more useful than self-reports for identifying which patients may require more opioids both immediately postoperatively and after hospital discharge. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(1):34-39.].

Intercostal Nerve Cryoablation Reduces Opioid Use and Length of Stay Without Increasing Adverse Events: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 5442 Patients Undergoing Surgical Correction of Pectus Excavatum.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in opioid use, length of stay, and adverse events after minimally invasive correction of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) with and without intercostal nerve cryoablation. BACKGROUND: Small studies show that intraoperative intercostal nerve cryoablation provides effective analgesia with no large-scale evaluations of this technique. METHODS: The pediatric health information system database was used to perform a retrospective cohort study comparing patients undergoing MIRPE at children's hospitals before and after the initiation of cryoablation. The association of cryoablation use with inpatient opioid use was determined using quantile regression with robust standard errors. Difference in risk-adjusted length of stay between the cohorts was estimated using negative binomial regression. Odds of adverse events between the two cohorts were compared using logistic regression with a generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: A total of 5442 patients underwent MIRPE at 44 children's hospitals between 2016 and 2022 with 1592 patients treated after cryoablation was introduced at their hospital. Cryoablation use was associated with a median decrease of 80.8 (95% CI: 68.6-93.0) total oral morphine equivalents as well as a decrease in estimated median length of stay from 3.5 [3.2-3.9] days to 2.5 [2.2-2.9] days ( P value: 0.016). Cryoablation use was not significantly associated with an increase in any studied adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of cryoablation for perioperative analgesia was associated with decreased inpatient opioid use and length of stay in a large sample with no change in adverse events. This novel modality for perioperative analgesia offers a promising alternative to traditional pain management in thoracic surgery.

Persistent long-term opioid use after trauma: Incidence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The opioid epidemic in the United States continues to lead to a substantial number of preventable deaths and disability. The development of opioid dependence has been strongly linked to previous opioid exposure. Trauma patients are at particular risk since opioids are frequently required to control pain after injury. The purpose to this study was to examine the prevalence of opioid use before and after injury and to identify risk factors for persistent long-term opioid use after trauma. METHODS: Records for all patients admitted to a Level 1 trauma center over a 1-year period were analyzed. Demographics, injury characteristics, and hospital course were recorded. A multistate Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database was queried to obtain records of all controlled substances prescribed from 6 months before the date of injury to 12 months after hospital discharge. Patients still receiving narcotics at 1 year were defined as persistent long-term users and were compared against those who were not. RESULTS: A total of 2,992 patients were analyzed. Of all patients, 20.4% had filled a narcotic prescription within the 6 months before injury, 53.5% received opioids at hospital discharge, and 12.5% had persistent long-term use after trauma with the majority demonstrating preinjury use. Univariate risk factors for long-term use included female sex, longer length of stay, higher Injury Severity Score, anxiety, depression, orthopedic surgeries, spine injuries, multiple surgical locations, discharge to acute inpatient rehab, and preinjury opioid use. On multivariate analysis, the only significant predictors of persistent long-term prescription opioid use were preinjury use and a much smaller effect associated with use at discharge. CONCLUSION: During a sustained opioid epidemic, concerns and caution are warranted in the use of prescription narcotics for trauma patients. However, persistent long-term opioid use among opioid-naive patients is rare and difficult to predict after trauma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level III.

Rates and risk factors for persistent opioid use after cardiothoracic surgery: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study's aim was to estimate potential risk factors for persistent opioid use after cardiothoracic surgery. METHODS: This study included participants in the McGill University Health Centre clinical trial (2014 to 2016). Provincial medical services, prescription claims, and medical charts data were linked. Persistent opioid use was defined as an initial peri-operative opioid dispensation followed by an opioid dispensation between 91 and 180 days postdischarge. Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to assess factors associated with persistent opioid use. RESULTS: A cohort of 815 patients (mean age: 68.9 [standard deviation = 8.9]) was assembled, of which 8.2% became persistent opioid users. Factors such as higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-10.6), history of diabetes (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-3.4), substance and alcohol abuse (adjusted hazard ratio: 16.3, 95% confidence interval: 5.3-49.5), and radiotherapy (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.5-4.1) were associated with a higher hazard of persistent opioid use. Previous opioid use (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0-2.8), daily peri-operative opioid dose (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.5-3.7), having an opioid dispensation 30 days pre-admission (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.8), and pre-admission analgesic use (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.8), were also associated with an increased hazard of persistent use. Being prescribed multimodal analgesia at discharge (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.32-0.92) was associated with a 46% decreased hazard of developing persistent opioid use. CONCLUSION: Multiple patient- and medication-related characteristics were associated with an increased hazard of persistent opioid use.

Pain Control Associated With Gabapentinoid Prescription After Elective Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentinoid (GABA) prescribing has substantially increased as a nonopioid analgesics for surgical conditions. We examined the effectiveness of GABA use for postoperative pain control among patients receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study using 2016 to 2019 data from a 20% national sample of Medicare enrollees included patients aged 66 and over years who received an elective TKA, were discharged to home, received home health care, and had both admission and discharge assessments of pain (n = 35,186). Study outcomes were pain score difference between admission and discharge and less-than-daily pain interfering with activity at discharge. Opioid and GABA prescriptions after surgery and receipt of nerve block within 3 days of surgery were also assessed. RESULTS: There were 30% of patients who had a pain score decrease of 3 to 4 levels and 55.8% had pain score decreases of 1 to 2 levels. In multivariable analyses, receiving a nerve block was significantly associated with pain score reduction. A GABA prescription increased the magnitude of pain score reduction among those receiving a nerve block. Results from inverse probability weighted analysis with propensity score showed that coprescribing of GABA and low-dose opioid was associated with significantly lower pain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Post-TKA opioid use was not associated with pain score reduction. Receiving a nerve block was associated with a modest pain score reduction. Co-prescribing GABA with low-dose opioid or receiving a nerve block was associated with increasing magnitudes of pain reduction. Further research should identify alternatives to opioid use for managing postoperative TKA pain.

Pain Medication Use Two Years After Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Fusion Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational case control. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of opioid use two years after surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and its association with preoperative mental health. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Studies of opiate use have reported that up to 80% of users began their addiction with misuse of prescription opioids. Identifying opioid use and those at risk in the AIS population is critical for optimal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A query of a multicenter prospective AIS surgical fusion registry was performed to identify patients of all curve types with responses to question 11 on the Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire at two years postoperative. Question 11 asks about pain medication usage for the patient's back with five specific responses: narcotics daily, narcotics weekly or less, non-narcotics daily, non-narcotics weekly/less, or none. Ordinal regression was used to evaluate the association between preoperative Scoliosis Research Society-22 Mental Health (MH) domain scores and two-year postoperative pain medication usage. RESULTS: A total of 2595 patients who underwent surgery from 2002 to 2019 met inclusion. The average primary curve was 56±12°, average age 14.7±3 years, and 81.5% were female. Forty (1.5%) patients reported utilizing opioids two years after surgery, and a significant difference in preoperative MH scores was observed. Patients taking daily opioids postoperatively had the lowest median preoperative MH score (3.75), followed by non-narcotic group (4), and no medication (4.2, P <0.001). Three patients reporting opioid use postoperatively reported preoperative usage. The rate of two-year postoperative medication use based on the year of surgery demonstrated a small linear decrease in opioid use over time, with a slight increase in nonopioid daily use. CONCLUSIONS: Less than 2% of patients reported taking opioids for back pain two years after surgical correction of AIS. A lower MH score before surgery may place a patient at increased risk for opioid use two years after surgery. An analysis of the year of surgery suggests that changes in prescription practices over time may be occurring. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

The Effect of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Timing on Milliequivalents of Opioid Use and Immediate Postoperative Pain Scores in Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block timing (preoperative or postoperative) on postoperative opioid use (quantified via morphine milligram equivalents; MME) and pain scores in patients undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy for benign indications. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-institution cohort study SETTING: Academic-affiliated community hospital PATIENTS: A total of 2982 patients were included who underwent a minimally invasive total hysterectomy between January 2018 and December 2022, excluding patients with a malignancy diagnosis, concurrent urogynecological procedure, vaginal hysterectomy, supracervical hysterectomy, or those with baseline narcotic use (opioid use within the 3 months before surgery). Patients were separated into 3 groups: no TAP blocks (n = 1966, 65.9%), preoperative TAP blocks (854, 28.6%), and postoperative TAP blocks (162, 5.4%). INTERVENTIONS: Summary statistics and mixed-effects regression methods were used for data analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was a statistically significant lower mean use of opioids (MME 43.2 vs 53.9, p = .002) among patients who received a TAP block (either pre or postoperatively) than those who did not receive a block. However, when comparing preoperative vs postoperative patients with TAP block, there was no statistically significant difference in mean opioid use (MME 43.4 vs 42.1, p = .752). There were no differences in postoperative pain scores between patients with and without a TAP block, however, more opioids were required in patients who did not receive a TAP block to achieve the same pain scores as those who did receive a TAP block. There was a statistically significant shorter time to discharge for TAP versus patients without TAP block(median 5.5 vs 6.3 hours, p ≤ .001) as well as preoperative versus postoperative patients with TAP block (median 5.3 vs 6.2 hours, p = .001). CONCLUSION: While TAP block use at the time of minimally invasive hysterectomy reduced use of postoperative opioids, the timing of TAP block, either preoperatively or postoperatively, did not significantly affect opioid use. Preoperative compared with postoperative TAP block administration significantly shortened the time to discharge.

Risk Factors Associated With Prolonged Opioid Use After Revision Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine which preoperative factors are associated with prolonged opioid use after revision total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). METHODS: The M157Ortho PearlDiver database was used to identify patients undergoing revision TSA between 2010 and 2021. Opioid use for longer than 1 month after surgery was defined as prolonged opioid use. Postoperative opioid use from 1 to 3 months was independently assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between preoperative patient-related risk factors (age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, sex, depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, opioid use between 12 months to 1 week of surgery, tobacco use, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, previous myocardial infarction, and chronic ischemic heart disease) with prolonged postoperative opioid use. Odds ratios (OR) and their associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each risk factor. RESULTS: A total 14,887 patients (mean age = 67.1 years) were included. Most of the patients were female (53.3%), and a large proportion were opioid familiar (44.1%). Three months after revision TSA, older age (OR = 0.96, CI 0.96 to 0.97) and male sex (OR = 0.90, CI 0.81 to 0.99) were associated with a decreased risk of prolonged postoperative opioid usage. Patients with preexisting depression (OR = 1.21, CI 1.08 to 1.35), substance use disorder (OR = 1.47, CI 1.29 to 1.68), opioid use (OR = 16.25, CI 14.27 to 18.57), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (OR = 1.24, CI 1.07 to 1.42) were at an increased risk of prolonged postoperative opioid use. DISCUSSION: Older age and male sex were associated with a decreased risk of prolonged opioid use after revision TSA. Depression, substance use disorder, opioid familiarity, and COPD were associated with prolonged opioid use after revision TSA.

Should We Use COMM (Current Opioid Misuse Measure) to Screen for Opioid Abuse in Patients With Cancer Pain?

BACKGROUND: Growing concerns about opioid use disorder (OUD) and the resulting decrease in opioid availability for patients with cancer pain highlight the need for reliable screening tools to identify the subset of patients at increased risk for aberrant opioid use. Our study examines the utility of Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) recommended by the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Adult Cancer Pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed prospectively collected patient-reported outcomes of 444 consecutive patients with cancer seen in pain clinics of a cancer center at 2 time points within 100 days. The relationship of COMM to other OUD screening tools, pain, opioid doses, patient demographics, and mortality was examined using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. We also examined individual items of COMM for face validity. RESULTS: Among 444 patients who completed pain surveys at 2 time points, 157 (35.4%) did not complete COMM surveys. Using a COMM cutoff of ≥13, a total of 84 patients (29.3%; 84/287) scored positive for aberrant drug use. As patients remained on opioids for 49 to 100 days, the likelihood of improving COMM score (turning from positive to negative) was 6.1 times greater than the reverse. The number of patients with COMM ≥13 was 3.8 times higher than the number of patients with CPT diagnostic codes for OUD, 5.3 times higher than those with a positive urine drug screening, and 21 times higher than those with a positive CAGE (Cut Down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-Opener Questionnaire) score. COMM ≥13 was not associated with pain relief response (worst pain intensity score ≥2 points on the Brief Pain Inventory), opioid doses, gender, or age. Contrary to the intended use of COMM to identify aberrant opioid use, COMM ≥13 predicted mortality: patients with COMM ≥13 were 1.9 times more likely to die within 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that using COMM in a cancer population may significantly overestimate the risk of opioid misuse. Using COMM without modifications can create an additional barrier to cancer pain management, such as limiting appropriate opioid use.

An opioid-minimizing multimodal pain regimen reduces opioid exposure and pain in trauma-injured patients at high risk for opioid misuse: Secondary analysis from the mast trial.

BACKGROUND: Screening to identify patients at risk for opioid misuse after trauma is recommended but not commonly used to guide perioperative opioid management interventions. The Multimodal Analgesic Strategies for Trauma trial demonstrated that an opioid-minimizing multimodal pain regimen reduced opioid exposure in a heterogeneous trauma patient population. Here, we assess the efficacy of the Multimodal Analgesic Strategies for Trauma multimodal pain regimen in a critical patient subgroup who screened at high risk for opioid misuse. METHODS: The Multimodal Analgesic Strategies for Trauma trial compared an opioid-minimizing multimodal pain regimen (oral acetaminophen, naproxen, gabapentin, lidocaine patch, as-needed opioid) against an original multimodal pain regimen (intravenous followed by oral acetaminophen, 48-hour celecoxib and pregabalin, followed by naproxen and gabapentin, scheduled tramadol, as-needed opioid), in a randomized trial conducted from April 2018 to March 2019. A total of 631 enrolled patients were classified either as low- or high-risk via the Opioid Risk Tool. Bayesian analyses evaluated the moderating influence of Opioid Risk Tool risk (high/low) on the effect of Multimodal Analgesic Strategies for Trauma multimodal pain regimen (versus original) on opioid exposure (morphine milligram equivalents/day), opioids prescribed at discharge, and pain scores. RESULTS: Multimodal Analgesic Strategies for Trauma multimodal pain regimen effectively reduced morphine milligram equivalents/day in low- and high-Opioid Risk Tool risk groups. Moderation was observed for opioids at discharge and pain scores; Multimodal Analgesic Strategies for Trauma multimodal pain regimen was effective in the high-risk group only (opioids at discharge: 63% vs 77%, relative risk = 0.86, 95% Bayesian credible interval [0.66-1.08], posterior probability (relative risk <1) = 90%; pain scores: b = 3.8, 95% Bayesian credible interval [3.2-4.4] vs b = 4.0, 95% Bayesian credible interval [3.4-4.6], posterior probability (b <0) = 87%). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to show the moderating influence of opioid misuse risk on the effectiveness of an opioid-minimizing multimodal pain regimen. The Opioid Risk Tool was useful in identifying high-risk patients for whom the Multimodal Analgesic Strategies for Trauma multimodal pain regimen is recommended for perioperative pain management.

A Case of Acute Opioid Withdrawal after Liposuction Surgery in a Patient on Extended-release Buprenorphine.

BACKGROUND: The US Food and Drug Administration approved the once-monthly injectable extended-release buprenorphine product to treat moderate-to-severe opioid use disorders. The patient in our case report had a liposuction procedure and immediately started having opioid withdrawal symptoms after the procedure. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient is a 27-year-old African-American woman who injects drugs and has morbid obesity. She enrolled in a medications for addiction treatment program and opted to get treated with extended-release buprenorphine monthly injections. She tolerated them well for a span of 6 months. In one clinic visit, she reported opioid withdrawal symptoms and started purchasing and using sublingual buprenorphine from her acquaintances. On review of history, she underwent liposuction surgery and this triggered the opioid withdrawal symptoms. Examining her abdomen revealed surgical scars at the site of the buprenorphine injection and the residual buprenorphine depot was not palpable.A subcutaneous injection of 300-mg extended release buprenorphine was administered in the right periumbilical area in this clinic visit. The following week, she was doing well and denied any withdrawal symptoms. DISCUSSION: This is a unique case of "iatrogenic opioid withdrawal" after a fairly common surgical procedure. The extended-release buprenorphine formulation solidifies when it comes into contact with bodily fluids forming a depot. The depot and surrounding adipose tissue may have been removed during the patient's liposuction procedure, causing an immediate drop in buprenorphine levels leading to acute opioid withdrawal.This case report highlights the precautions that need to be taken before patients go for a surgical procedure like liposuction.